Box with widest possible pouring spout

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a box with the widest possible pouring spout. The spout is an integrated portion of the box with no additional or external portions required for manufacture. The spout has a means by which a person using the spout may conveniently open the spout, a means by which the spout will be secured from opening beyond the position required for maintaining the spout pouring area and a means by which the spout will be secured in a closed position when not in use. Because the spout is an integrated portion of the box, the box with widest possible pouring spout will be efficient and economical to produce and will provide the largest possible pouring area for large, bulky or cumbersome products.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/583,727 filed on Jun. 29, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fibrous structures, and moreparticularly to a box-like container which has the widest possibleintegrated pouring spout, thereby providing a larger opening for moreefficient pouring of coarse or larger materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Although many pouring spout arrangements have been devised in the past,very few have gained commercial acceptance. One of these is a metalspout attached to the end panel of a cardboard box and covered withpaper for sealing prior to the opening of the spout. This type of spoutis not only expensive to produce, but is limited in size and thus hasinsufficient pouring areas useful for pouring course or large productssuch as course or bulky products.

Plastic spouts in the top of a box have also been designed, however,again the design requires the attachment of a separate element and isalso relatively small in size, again prohibiting the dispensing ofcoarse or large products and are relatively expensive to produce.

As a consequence, there has been a need for an improved pouring spoutwith the largest possible opening for use in dispensing products whichare larger, course or bulky in nature which is also efficient andeconomical to manufacture.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangement of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Inaddition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved pouring spout arrangementwhich requires virtually no added expense in producing a cardboard box.The spout will provide for the easy pouring of the material from the boxand can be closed once the material has been dispensed. This spoutarrangement provides for the largest possible spout opening which isimportant for materials that are large or bulky or which tend to formlumps.

The spout arrangement provides a cardboard box made from a single sheetof material defining two opposite end panels, one of which has twolayers, positioned one on top of the other. The outer layer includes acutout for a portion of the closure flap, pivotal about its lower edgewith an opening above it. Additionally, the outer layer has areinforcing flap which will adhere to the side wall frontal or rearportion of the box as a stabilizing feature of the structure.

The inner layer has a remainder of the closure flap which is pivotalabout its lower edge and bendable transversely at its intermediateportion. Above the bendable portion the inner layer is attached to theouter portion of the stationary side of the cardboard box and will actto secure the pouring spout in a closed position when not in use. Abovethe bendable portion it is attached to the outer portion of thestationary side wall.

The box is opened by pulling outwardly on the closure flaps to pivotthem about the lower edges. This removes the bottom closure flap frominside of the opening and causes it to bend transversely, uncovering theopenings through the end panel of the box. The closure flaps may beretained in the opened position by locating the top edge of the closureflap adjacent the pivot point of the closure flap bearing, against thewall of the outer panel on either side of the opening. Therefore, it isunnecessary to hold the pouring spout open manually as the contents ofthe box are being dispensed.

The spout is closed by reversing the operation and inserting the bottomedge of the closure flap inside the lower edge of the stationary cutoutin the inner panel.

The principle object of this invention is to provide for the largestpossible opening for a pouring spout arrangement on a cardboard box.

Another object of this invention is to create a pouring spoutarrangement that is an integral portion of the cardboard blank fromwhich such a box is constructed with no need for additional element.

It must be clearly understood at this time although the preferredembodiment of the invention consists of the pouring spout which is anintegral portion of the cardboard blank from which a cardboard box ismanufactured, that many conventional pouring spouts exist that willachieve the a similar operation and they will also be fully coveredwithin the scope of this patent.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, theforegoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of theinvention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and togetherwith the description, serve to explain the principles of this invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a fragmentary perspective view of a box according toprior art;

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a box incorporating the spout ofthis invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a fragmentary perspective view of the spout in an openposition;

FIG. 4 depicts a box blank prior to assembly of the cardboard box withintegrated spout according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a fragmentary portion of the blank prior to assembly ofthe cardboard box illustrating the outer portion of the integrated spoutaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 depicts a fragmentary portion of the blank prior to assembly ofthe cardboard box illustrating the inner portion of the integrated spoutaccording to the present invention.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings which are incorporated in andform a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of theinvention and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein similar parts of theinvention are identified by like reference numerals. There is seen inFIG. 1 a fragmentary perspective view of the prior art integrated spoutwith cardboard container. FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of thepreferred embodiment of the box with integrated widest possible spout 10according to the present invention illustrating the widest possiblespout 18 in an open position. Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a container 12with a top panel portion 14, side panel portion 22 and the external endpanel portion 20 with an external side panel portion 16 attached to aside panel portion 22 of the container 12. It must be understood thatany number of materials may be used in manufacturing the container 12and will be covered within the scope of this patent.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the box with integratedspout 10 with the widest possible spout 18. The container 12 has a boxtop portion 14, a side panel portion 22, an external side panel portion16 and an external end panel portion 20. The widest possible spout 18 iscomposed of an external spout front panel 32 attached to an internalspout front panel 42. This external spout front panel is foldablyattached to the spout side panels 44 and 46. These spout side panels 44and 46 are pulled through the external spout cuts 36 and 38 and throughthe internal spout cut 50 as seen in FIG. 3. The bottom portion of thewidest possible spout 18 is held in place by the internal spout closurepanel 35 which is attached to the external spout closure panel 34

FIG. 4 depicts the exterior of an unassembled blank of the box withintegrated spout 30. The box blank is assembled by folding the blankalong the internal side panel score 56, the internal end panel score 58,the side panel scores 60 and 62, the external end panel score 64 and theexternal side panel score 66, the bottom side flap scores 68 and 72, thebottom end flap score 70, the top side flap scores 74 and 78 and the topend flap scores 76 and 88. The internal side panel portion 28 is affixedto the interior of the side panel portion 24. The external side panelportion 16 is affixed to the exterior of the side panel portion 22 andthe internal end panel portion 29 is affixed to the external end panelportion 20. The top end flaps 80 and 82 are secured to the internal boxtop side portion 26 and the box top side portion 26 is then secured tothe second box top side portion 27. Similarly, the bottom end flaps 84and 86 are secured to a bottom side flap 90 and that secured bottom sideflap 90 is affixed to the second bottom side flap 92.

The internal spout front panel 42 is affixed to the external spout frontpanel 32. The internal spout front panel 42 is folded along the lowerinternal spout score 54 as well as the spout side panels 44 and 46 andthe external spout front panel 32 is folded along the lower externalspout score 52 allowing the spout to open as the spout side panels 44and 46 move outwardly through the external spout cuts 36 and 38, and theinternal spout cuts 48 and 50 which are now aligned with one another.The spout securing portions of the spout 94 and 96 prevent the spoutside panels 44 and 46 from opening further than is necessary to form thespout opening. The bottom portion of the spout circular cut 40 forms aconvenient finger pull for opening the spout which is secured in theclosed position by the bottom portion of the external spout closurepanel 34.

FIG. 5 depicts a fragmentary view of the unassembled box blank with acloser view of the exterior portion of the spout. FIG. 5 includesexternal side panel portion 16, side panel portion 24, box top sideportion 27, top end flap 80, external spout front panel 32, withexternal spout closure panel 34 and external spout cuts 36 and 38 aswell as the spout circular cut 40. Score lines depicted in FIG. 5include lower external spout score 52, side panel score 60, external endpanel score 64, top side flap score 74, and top end flap score 88.

FIG. 6 depicts a fragmentary view of the unassembled box blank with acloser view of the interior portion of the spout. FIG. 6 includes a sidepanel portion 22, a box top side portion 26, the internal end panelportion 29, the internal spout front panel 42, the spout side panels 44and 46 with the spout securing portions of the spout side panels 94 and96 together with the internal spout cuts 48 and 50. Score lines seen inFIG. 6 are lower internal spout score 54, internal side panel score 56,internal end panel score 58, and top side flap score 78.

The box with widest possible spout 10 shown in the drawings anddescribed in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements ofparticular construction and configuration for illustrating the preferredembodiment of structure and method of construction of the presentinvention. It is to be understood however, that elements of differentconstruction and configuration and other arrangements thereof, otherthan those illustrated and described may be employed for providing a boxwith widest possible spout 10 in accordance with the spirit of thisinvention, and such changes, alternations and modifications as wouldoccur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scopeof this invention as broadly defined in the claims.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

1. A box having a widest possible pouring spout integrated therein,comprising a cardboard structure defining a container having two sidepanels, a top panel, a bottom panel and two end panels, one of saidpanels including a first outer layer and a second layer inwardly of saidfirst layer, wherein said first layer includes a first flap pivotalabout one edge thereof; said second layer includes a second flap pivotalabout one edge thereof; said second flap including means for permittingbending of said second flap at a location spaced from said one edgethereof; said first flap overlying and being secured to said second flapbetween said one edge of said second flap and said location; saidstructure including a third layer inwardly of said second layer, saidfirst layer including a portion overlying a portion of said second flap;said third layer having an opening covered by said second flap; andfurther wherein said flaps are constructed such that the resultingpouring spout opening extends form the edge of one side to the edge ofthe other side of the box thereby enabling the widest possible pouringspout opening to be formed; and whereby to achieve an open position,said first flap is pivoted about said one edge thereof, said second flapis caused to pivot about said one edge of said second flap, said secondflap is bent at said location, said portion of said second flap iswithdrawn from said portion of said first layer over-lying the same, andsaid opening in said third layer is uncovered to permit dispensingthrough said opening in said third layer.
 2. A box having a pouringspout according to claim 1, wherein the spout is constructed in an extralarge configuration to accommodate pouring and retention of largeparticle container contents.
 3. A box having a pouring spout accordingto claim 1, wherein said flaps act to lock the spout in the openposition and act to lock the spout in the closed position to facilitatecertain pouring while in the open position and preventing leaking orspilling in the closed position.
 4. A box having a widest possiblepouring spout comprising: a fibrous structure defining a box, said boxfurther comprising two side panels; a top panel; a bottom panel; and twoend panels, one of said panels including a first outer layer and asecond layer inwardly of said first layer, said first layer beingpivotal about one edge thereof, said second layer being pivotal aboutone edge thereof, said second layer including means for lifting saidsecond flap at a location spaced from one edge thereof, said secondlayer including two wing flaps at opposite ends of said second layer,said wing flaps including means for permitting bending of said wingflaps at scored junctures in said second layer, said wing flaps furtherincluding additional means for permitting bending of said wing flaps atperforations in locations proximately and equally spaced from saidopposite ends thereof, said first flap overlying and being secured tosaid second flap between said one edge of said second layer and saidlocation in said second layer, said structure including a third layerinwardly of said second layer, said third layer being secured to saidsecond layer; and said third layer having an opening covered by saidsecond layer; and further wherein said flaps are constructed such thatthe resulting pouring spout opening extends form the edge of one side tothe edge of the other side of the box thereby enabling the widestpossible pouring spout opening to be formed; and whereby to achieve anopen position, said first layer is pivoted about said one edge thereof,said second layer is caused to pivot about said one edge of said secondlayer, said wing flaps are bent at said junctures and virtuallysimultaneously at said perforations, and said opening in said thirdlayer is uncovered to permit dispensing through said opening in saidthird layer.
 5. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 4,wherein the spout is constructed in an extra large configuration toaccommodate pouring and retention of large particle container contents.6. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 4, wherein said flapsact to lock the spout in the open position and act to lock the spout inthe closed position to facilitate certain pouring while in the openposition and preventing leaking or spilling in the closed position.
 7. Abox having a widest possible pouring spout comprising: a fibrousstructure defining a container, said container further comprising twoside panels; a top panel; a bottom panel; and two end panels, saidcontainer having two or more flaps forming a pouring spout; saidcontainer having a flat pattern during manufacture and before assembly,and further wherein said two or more flaps are constructed such that theresulting pouring spout opening extends form the edge of one side to theedge of the other side of the box thereby enabling the widest possiblepouring spout opening to be formed.
 8. A box having a pouring spoutaccording to claim 7, wherein the spout is constructed in an extra largeconfiguration to accommodate pouring and retention of large particlecontainer contents.
 9. A box having a pouring spout according to claim7, wherein said flaps act to lock the spout in the open position and actto lock the spout in the closed position to facilitate certain pouringwhile in the open position and preventing leaking or spilling in theclosed position.
 10. A box having a pouring spout according to claim 7,further comprising: a fibrous structure defining a container, saidcontainer further comprising two side panels; a top panel; a bottompanel; and two end panels, one of said panels including a first outerlayer and a second layer inwardly of said first layer, said first layerbeing pivotal about one edge thereof, said first layer including aportion overlying a portion of said second flap, said second layer beingpivotal about one edge thereof, said second layer including means forlifting said second flap at a location spaced from one edge thereof,said second layer including two wing flaps at opposite ends of saidsecond layer, said wing flaps including means for permitting bending ofsaid wing flaps at scored junctures in said second layer, said wingflaps further including additional means for permitting bending of saidwing flaps at perforations in locations proximately and equally spacedfrom said opposite ends thereof, said first flap overlying and beingsecured to said second flap between said one edge of said second flapand said location in said second layer, said structure including a thirdlayer inwardly of said second layer, said third layer having an openingcovered by said second flap, and further wherein said flaps areconstructed such that the resulting pouring spout opening extends formthe edge of one side to the edge of the other side of the box therebyenabling the widest possible pouring spout opening to be formed; andwhereby to achieve an open position, said first layer is pivoted aboutsaid one edge thereof, said second layer is caused to pivot about saidone edge of said second layer, said wing flaps are bent at saidjunctures and virtually simultaneously at said perforations, and saidopening in said third layer is uncovered to permit dispensing throughsaid opening in said third layer, said container having a flat patternduring manufacture and before assembly.
 11. A box having a pouring spoutaccording to claim 10, wherein the spout is constructed in an extralarge configuration to accommodate pouring and retention of largeparticle container contents.
 12. A box having a pouring spout accordingto claim 10, wherein said flaps act to lock the spout in the openposition and act to lock the spout in the closed position to facilitatecertain pouring while in the open position and preventing leaking orspilling in the closed position.